Interspecific tree named ‘Yellowsweet II’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and very productive tree. The variety is self-unfruitful and blooms during the mid season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early August, with first picking on Aug. 3, 2007, and will hang on the tree for about fifteen more days. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, mostly yellow in skin color, clingstone in type, globose to ovate in shape, orange yellow in flesh color, firm in texture, and excellent in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus sp.

Varietal denomination: ‘Yellowsweet II’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Yellowsweet II’.

During a typical blooming season I isolate as seed parents both individual and groups of different plum trees by covering them with screen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside each such house, and bouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot, and interspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees are placed in buckets near the trees approximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During 2001 one tree of ‘YUMMY® gem’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,809) plum was crossed by me in this manner. To pollinate this isolated tree, I selected bouquets from several sources of apricot and interspecific plum-apricot hybrid trees without keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturity the fruit from this plum tree was harvested and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label “H10P881”. They were grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse and upon reaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the summer of 2004 the claimed variety was selected by me as a single plant from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of interspecific tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘YUMMY® gem’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,809) plum by being self-unfruitful, by having a prolific bloom, and by producing fruit that is yellow in flesh color with excellent flavor, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, that is yellow instead of dark purple in skin color, and that matures about sixty days later.

The present variety is more similar to ‘Plumsweet IV’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,461) interspecific tree by being self-unfruitful, by blooming during the mid season, and by producing fruit that is excellent in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is globose to ovate instead of oblong in shape, that has a less pronounced suture, that is yellow instead of mottled in skin color, and that matures about twenty-five days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present interspecific variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, and very productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early August, with first picking on Aug. 3, 2007, and will hang on the tree for about fifteen more days. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, mostly yellow in skin color, clingstone in type, globose to ovate in shape, orange yellow in flesh color, firm in texture, and excellent in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, two half fruits divided to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insets depicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the tree during the blooming season.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description was developed at the state of full ripe on Jul. 7, 2007, on the original tree during its sixth growing season. The flower and bud descriptions were developed during the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘YUMMY® gem’ plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,809). -   Pollen parent: Unknown.

TREE

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 11′ [3.35 m.] and     a spread of 7′ [2.13 m.] after six growing seasons utilizing typical     dormant pruning. -   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and     fertilization. The variety grows about 4′ [1.22 m.] of surplus     top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown     on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes. -   Growth: Upright and dense. -   Form: Pruned to a vase form. -   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters. -   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central     California climatic conditions, which typically include extended     periods of heat. -   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and     requires regular irrigation. -   Production: Very productive, thinning usually necessary. -   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a     suitable mid seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum, such     as ‘Plumsweetone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,219). -   Bearing: Regular bearer, with no crop failures observed. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large, reaching a maximum diameter of 4¾″ [121 mm.]             after the sixth growing season.         -   Texture.—Shaggy.         -   Bark color.—A Dark brown [59. d.Br] and Grayish brown [61.             gy.Br] variegation with Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]             crevices present.         -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color:             Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4             mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2¾″ [70 mm.] measured 12″ above             the crotch, 1⅞″ [48 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.         -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing             roughness with age.         -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Strong brown [55. s.Br ]. 1st             Year Wood Underside: Strong greenish yellow [99. s.gY].             Older Wood: A Dark grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br ] and Moderate             brown [58. m.Br] variegation.         -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 60 on second             year wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr ].             Average size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm. ] Shape: Elongated,             rectangular. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 3¼″ 83 mm.]. Average width:             1¾″ [45 mm.].         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average             Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green             [116. brill.YG].         -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.             Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green             [117. s.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with             age.         -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf, occasionally 3 or 4.             Position: Both oppositely and alternately positioned at the             intersection of the petiole and the leaf blade. Size: Small.             Form: Globose. Color: Very yellow green [115. v.YG] becoming             Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.         -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California             winters.         -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Form.—Not appressed.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Tip color.—White [263. White]. -   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,     typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations     alternately positioned.     -   -   Average flower diameter.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].         -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.         -   Petal shape.—Oval to circular.         -   Petal margin.—Entire, smooth to somewhat wavy.         -   Average petal diameter.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Average petal length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Rounded to obtuse.         -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.         -   Anther color.—Strong orange yellow [68. s.OY] when first             open fading to Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] with maturity.         -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].         -   Sepal color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] with a             minor Grayish pink [8. gy.Pk] tinge on some.         -   Sepal length.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].         -   Sepal width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].         -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and             length.         -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth to the naked eye, slightly             serrate when magnified.         -   Average pistil length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Average stamen length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Pollen production.—Moderate.         -   Blooming period.—Medium, two days before ‘Santa Rosa’ plum             (unpatented).         -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 26, 2007.         -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 2007.         -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature.         -   Bloom density.—Heavy.         -   Number per cluster.—2 to 12, average 5.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Full ripe, Aug. 17, 2007. -   Date of first picking: Aug. 3, 2007. -   Date of last picking: Aug. 17, 2007. -   Size: Uniform, Medium.     -   -   Average diameter axially.—2¼″ [57.2 mm.].         -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2 7/16″ [61.9 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2 7/16″ [61.9 mm.].         -   Typical weight.—4.8 ounces [136 grams]. -   Form: Uniform, globose to slightly ovoid, symmetrical.     -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Somewhat ovate.         -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round. -   Suture: An inconspicuous line located in a very shallow groove     extending from the base to the apex. -   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the base. -   Lips: Equal. -   Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side.     -   -   Depth.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].         -   Breadth.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.]. -   Base: Truncate, somewhat cordate if viewed parallel to the suture. -   Apex: Rounded. -   Pistil point: An inconspicuous dot. -   Stem: Medium.     -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average width.— 5/62″ [2.0 mm.]. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.         -   Astringency.—Slight.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed in dry weather.         -   Color.—Dark yellow [88. d.Y] toward the shoulders smoothly             blending to Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] toward the apex             with an occasional Moderate pink [5. m.Pk] sun kissed area.         -   Bloom.—Abundant. -   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY].         -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Light orange yellow [70.             l.OY] broken fibers when twisted from the stone.         -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.         -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.         -   Texture.—Firm.         -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.         -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.         -   Flavor.—An exotic fruit flavor, mildly acidic with an             abundance of sugar, typically 22 to 24 brix.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Form: Oval. -   Hilum: Narrow. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex: Acuminate, with a sharp 1/32″ [0.8 mm] tip. -   Sides: Equal. -   Surface: Rough throughout with one groove from base to apex on each     side of the dorsal fin. -   External color of stone: Strong brown [55. s.Br]. -   Pit wall color when cracked: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr]. -   Cavity surface color: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. -   Average pit wall thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] -   Average width: ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]. -   Average length: 15/16″ [23.8 mm.]. -   Average breadth: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. -   Tendency to split: None observed. -   Kernel:     -   -   Form.—Oval.         -   Skin color.—Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY] when dried.         -   Pellicle color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].         -   Vein color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].         -   Taste.—Bitter.         -   Viable.—Yes.         -   Average width.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good     condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit     [2°Celsius]. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

-   Although the new variety of interspecific tree possesses the     described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le     Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is     to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur     when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different     soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus sp. tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to ‘Plumsweet IV’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,461) interspecific tree by being self-unfruitful, by blooming during the mid season, and by producing fruit that is excellent in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is globose to ovate instead of oblong in shape, that has a less pronounced suture, that is yellow instead of mottled in skin color, and that matures about twenty-five days earlier. 